In Britain, what happens when a ‘Remainer’ imagines talking to a ‘Leaver? Or in the USA, when someone who is ‘pro-life’ imagines a conversation with someone who is ‘pro-choice’? And, closer to home, how does a nationalist get along with a unionist in an imagined conversation about flag displays or a united Ireland? When we use our democratic imagination and imagine talking to people we disagree with, does this lead to a positive outcome? Does it make us more open to compromise on issues, and more positively disposed towards people we disagree with?

We will discuss the impact of the democratic imagination. Does it make political divisions worse or better? We examine the idea that the future of democracy relies upon our ability to positively imagine engaging with people with whom we disagree. Presentations by Professor John Garry and Dr. James Pow from The Democracy Unit in Queen’s University Belfast, followed by questions and answers.